Synoptics-Carbon

Question 1

How CC could impact on well being of coastal communities developing regions

Answer 1

• 2 of main impacts CC on worlds oceans= ocean warming+ ocean acidification
• coral bleaching (warming)
• ocean acidification

Question 2

CC could impact well-being coastal communities in developing regions (coral bleaching)

Answer 2

• changes coral reefs e.g. coral bleaching has range impacts ecosystems ‘services’ e.g. coastal protection
• over 200m live coastal areas protected from waves by fringing reefs
• coral bleaching reducing protection from storms that reefs offer putting ppl living countries e.g. Comoros at risk storm surges+ flooding
• referencing Oceania ‘risk equation’ (exposure+ dependence+ lack adaptive capacity= vulnerability) fact that Comoros= developing nation+ lack a ability adapt to risk makes v vulnerable impacts associated ocean health

Question 3

CC could impact well-being coastal communities in developing regions (ocean acidification)

Answer 3

• ocean acidification also changes coral reefs by damaging health-> affects incomes+ livelihoods coastal communities
• coral reefs shelter 25% marine species supporting 500m ppl, 90% developing e.g. St Lucia as disrupts distribution+ productivity coral reefs marine life
• also impacts tourism heavily 220,000 rely on in Maldives w coral atolls attracting 1m tourists per yr weakening econ of vulnerable countries to changes coral reefs

Question 4

Why uncertainty projections future atmospheric CO2 concentrations physical factors

Answer 4

• oceans+ forests act carbon sinks+ store heat
• oceans take decades respond changes greenhouse gas concentration+ so accurately projecting future CO2 concentration= difficult

Question 5

Why uncertainty projections future atmospheric CO2 concentrations human factors

Answer 5

• human factors play role forests
• many HICs observing forest gain but LICs observing forest loss
• human factors e.g. population change + econ growth have huge influence world’s forests as rising affluence->change diets+ increased consumerism e.g. meat consumption
• lead to more deforestation from greater demands of cattle ranching+ soya bean plantation areas e.g. Amazon

Question 6

Why uncertainty projections future atmospheric CO2 concentrations feedback mechanisms

Answer 6

• feedback cycles mean more uncertainty future atmospheric CO2 concentration
• permafrost melts releases methane (21x warming power carbon) enhancing greenhouse effect leading to global warming+ further melting pod feedback system
• however increased plant growth as result higher CO2 concentrations may lead neg feedback cycle more CO2 captured this highlights uncertainty future atmospheric projections

Question 7

Why uncertainty projections future atmospheric CO2 concentrations tipping points

Answer 7

-may be abrupt, possibly irreversible lrg scale change from tipping pt e.g. forest die back in boreal forest/ tropical rainforest but uncertainty where first

Question 8

To be truly effective what does mitigation need

Answer 8

• long term
• agreement global, Nat+ individual scale
• UN sets goals+ plans called roadmaps-> countries then use ‘carrot+stick’ measures follow roadmaps setting standards TNCs+ moulding public behaviour

Question 9

What are barriers preventing effective mitigation

Answer 9

• attempts agree strategies tackle CC notoriously difficult cos many countries try protect own interests which econ at cost environ (global)
• TNCs reduce greenhouse gas emissions could increase manufacturing costs
• ppl- Aus increase resistance policies put coal miners out work/ increase fuel costs general attitudes